Volkswagen Tiguan test drive since 2008 SUV

Two -faced

Which of the two Ipostases of the Volkswagen Tiguan crossover do you like?
To the premiere of the compact crossover, Volkswagen PR managers prepared the public ahead of time. First, a 3-door prototype VW Concept a appeared, which, using the readers of the German magazine Autobild, determined the name Tiguan, a derivative of the words Tiger (Tiger) and IGUANA (IGUANA). At the end of last year, Los Angeles introduced the concept of the same name, followed by an Internet site, then semi-pioneer photos from tests in Namibia appeared and here is a serial appearance.
The corporate identity is sustained strictly: an energetic profile, a recognizable back stroke, a trapezoid of the radiator grille, supported by a bumper pattern, familiar headlights of the front performances will be two with the front angles of entry of 18 and 28 degrees. The last affiliation of the modification of Track & Field with a mandatory all -wheel drive transmission and an off -road package. And even if the appearance of any (even front-wheel drive) option is clearly hinting at the kinship with the Volkswagen Touareg SUV, Tiguan is much closer to the Golf family, because it was the processed golf platform that formed the basis of the crossover. The architecture of the front suspension with MSPherson racks on an aluminum subframe is preserved. And behind a 4-core structure with powerful shock absorbers and a steel subframe appeared, structurally similar to the rear suspension of the all-wheel drive VW Passat 4Motion.
The salon is exactly like that of the Golf Plus station wagon with shifting rear seats, separated in a proportion of 60:40, the false floor of the trunk and a funny front panel with eight (!) Ventilation deflectors. Unless the door panels are others with an ascending handle and a huge pocket. But the set of onboard electronics is more interesting. Firstly, Tiguan, like the updated Touran, is equipped with an assistant in parking, which, according to the readings of the sensors, independently rotates the steering wheel. Secondly, an advanced multimedia system with high-resolution sensory screen (800x480 points) and all kinds of external interfaces, a 30 GB-high-end chamber hard drive. And the main achievement of the navigation system, which can remember the path in places that are not on the map. A hint of traveling through deserts and steppes?
The all -wheel drive Tiguan really does not shy off -road, although the arsenal is not rich in a high clearance and a Haldex clutch in the rear wheels drive. But there are plenty of electronic assistants, and it is easier to manage them with a simple click of the only key turn on the Offroad Mode mode, which activates the off -road algorithms for the operation of all sidelines. For example, ABS will allow the wheels to be blocked for longer when braking, raking the soil rollers in front of it, ESP will imitate differential locks, braking the skid wheels, the aid system is activated from the mountain, the engine will begin to react more calmly to the gas pedal, and the DSG robotic box with two clutches with two clutches. Prepare a reduced gear for better braking in advance. Moreover, the driver will not have to re -turn on the mode if the engine, by negligence, was drowned out by the system of trained even such situations.
However, Tiguan customers definitely will not have to complain about lack of power. This is the first crossover to be equipped with only boosting units. Moreover, all three gasoline engines are also with direct fuel injection: these are two-fiber 1.4 TSI (150 and 170 hp) and a 200-horsepower 2.0 TFSI, which is placed on Golf GTI. And diesel engines 2.0 TDI (140 and 170 hp) are notable for the fact that they are already fitting in the promising environmental requirements of Euro 5.
The official premiere of the serial car will take place in the autumn at the Frankfurt Auto Show, and in Russia will be in the early -woeing year. In terms of overall sizes (4.4x1.85x1.69 m) and the general concept of Tiguan will fall into the sector of small city crossovers that are not available to manufacturers, where only the Nissan Qashqai and Dodge Caliber are now represented. And apparently, it will take the upper line in it, judging by the range of engines and the set of equipment, Tiguan will be more expensive than competitors. And two years later, an Audi Q3 will enter the market, built on the same chassis. It will be even more expensive.
 
Ivan Ananyev
 

 

A source: Newspaper driving number 25 2007